Texas Park Road 3
Encyclopedia
Texas Park Road 3 or PR 3 is a 1.2 miles (1.9 km) road maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
that serves Davis Mountains State Park
and connects facilities within the park to State Highway 118 near Fort Davis
. The road was constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps
. The route is located within Jeff Davis County
.
The route includes all roads and drives within the park including a 2.8 miles (4.5 km) branch road, Texas Park Road 3A or Skyline Drive that, although shielded distinctively, is not designated by TxDOT as a separate road within the state highway system.
directed the State Parks Board, a predecessor agency to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
, to consider establishing a major destination park within the Davis Mountains
. After the parks board failed to receive appropriations or donated land for a new park, the Legislature then instructed the State Highway Department, which preceded TxDOT, to build a Davis Mountains State Park Highway in 1927. Landowners finally agreed to donate land for the park in 1933 to boost the local economy devastated by the Great Depression
. With the creation of the park, a state park highway was no longer necessary, and that highway initially became SH 166
.
Construction of PR 3 began in 1933 soon after the establishment of the state park. Like the park, the road was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The road at this time consisted of the main route between the park entrance and Indian Lodge.
In 1939, SH 118 was extended from Fort Davis to Kent
over the portion of SH 166 at the terminus of PR 3. The state ended the SH 166 designation over that same portion in 1941.
Although PR 3A was also constructed in 1933, it was initially a rugged, unpaved road and was not incorporated into the state highway system until 1965.
The road begins at PR 3 and crosses Keesey Creek before turning east in Keesey Canyon. Like PR 3, the road also has connecting drives acting as loops and cul-de-sac
s to campgrounds and park facilities. After leaving the campground, the road begins steeply ascending the ridge between Keesey and Hospital canyons on a climb requiring several switchbacks. The road connects with drives to scenic overlooks, picnic tables, and trail heads before terminating after 2.8 miles (4.5 km) at a scenic overlook and trail head at the boundary between the park and Fort Davis National Historic Site
.
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas. Its stated mission is to "work cooperatively to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods" throughout the state...
that serves Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountains State Park is a state park located in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, Texas. The closest town is Fort Davis, Texas. The park elevation is between 5000 and 6000 feet above sea level. The original portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a...
and connects facilities within the park to State Highway 118 near Fort Davis
Fort Davis, Texas
Fort Davis is a census-designated place in Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,050 at the 2000 census and 1,041 according to a 2007 estimate. It is the county seat of Jeff Davis County...
. The road was constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
. The route is located within Jeff Davis County
Jeff Davis County, Texas
Jeff Davis County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. It is named for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 2,207, and 2,258 by 2009...
.
The route includes all roads and drives within the park including a 2.8 miles (4.5 km) branch road, Texas Park Road 3A or Skyline Drive that, although shielded distinctively, is not designated by TxDOT as a separate road within the state highway system.
History
In 1924, the Texas LegislatureTexas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
directed the State Parks Board, a predecessor agency to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is a Texas state agency that oversees and protects wildlife and their habitats. In addition, the agency is responsible for managing the state's parks and historical areas...
, to consider establishing a major destination park within the Davis Mountains
Davis Mountains
The Davis Mountains are a range of mountains in West Texas, located near Fort Davis, after which they are named. They are a popular site for camping and hiking and the region includes Fort Davis National Historic Site and Davis Mountains State Park...
. After the parks board failed to receive appropriations or donated land for a new park, the Legislature then instructed the State Highway Department, which preceded TxDOT, to build a Davis Mountains State Park Highway in 1927. Landowners finally agreed to donate land for the park in 1933 to boost the local economy devastated by the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. With the creation of the park, a state park highway was no longer necessary, and that highway initially became SH 166
Texas State Highway 166
State Highway 166 or SH 166 runs for from SH 118 near Nunn Hill in northern Jeff Davis County, Texas passing around a major portion of the Davis Mountains before ending at SH 17 about two miles south of Fort Davis...
.
Construction of PR 3 began in 1933 soon after the establishment of the state park. Like the park, the road was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The road at this time consisted of the main route between the park entrance and Indian Lodge.
In 1939, SH 118 was extended from Fort Davis to Kent
Kent, Texas
Kent is an unincorporated village in Culberson County, in West Texas, United States. It lies just north of Interstate 10 at Exit 176, ten miles west of the beginning of Interstate 20 and four miles west of the eastern Culberson County boundary. It is sandwiched between the railroad, immediately...
over the portion of SH 166 at the terminus of PR 3. The state ended the SH 166 designation over that same portion in 1941.
Although PR 3A was also constructed in 1933, it was initially a rugged, unpaved road and was not incorporated into the state highway system until 1965.
Route description
PR 3's 1.2 miles (1.9 km) main road begins at Indian Lodge within the park. After an initial sharp curve with a steep downward grade, the road winds east through Keesey Canyon. Several drives branch off as loops accessing campsites, staff residences, and other park facilities before the road reaches the juncture with PR 3A 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Indian Lodge. The road then continues another 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) to the park headquarters at the terminus at SH 118.Park Road 3A
PR 3A, also called Skyline Drive, does not have its own TxDOT highway designation file, but is instead included as part of PR 3. Despite this, PR 3A has suffixed road shields distinguishing it from PR 3.The road begins at PR 3 and crosses Keesey Creek before turning east in Keesey Canyon. Like PR 3, the road also has connecting drives acting as loops and cul-de-sac
Cul-de-sac
A cul-de-sac is a word of French origin referring to a dead end, close, no through road or court meaning dead-end street with only one inlet/outlet...
s to campgrounds and park facilities. After leaving the campground, the road begins steeply ascending the ridge between Keesey and Hospital canyons on a climb requiring several switchbacks. The road connects with drives to scenic overlooks, picnic tables, and trail heads before terminating after 2.8 miles (4.5 km) at a scenic overlook and trail head at the boundary between the park and Fort Davis National Historic Site
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Fort Davis National Historic Site is a United States National Historic Site located in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, Texas. Located within the Davis Mountains of West Texas, the historic site was established in 1961 to protect one of the best remaining examples of a United States Army fort in...
.
Major intersections
Beyond its terminus with Park Road 3, Park Road 3A does not intersect any other highway.See also
- List of highways in Jeff Davis County
- Davis Mountains State ParkDavis Mountains State ParkDavis Mountains State Park is a state park located in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, Texas. The closest town is Fort Davis, Texas. The park elevation is between 5000 and 6000 feet above sea level. The original portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a...